In the west corner of the Bay of Fundy are waters so rich with marine life that they are called by some “the cafeteria of the Bay.” This area is vitally important to both the natural and the human worlds. Take a few minutes to explore the wonder of The Passages.
Introduction to the Passages
The Passages refers to the waters that flow between Campobello Island (to the south), Deer Island (to the west), the coast of mainland New Brunswick (to the north) and the myriad of small islands that dot the area.
In the Bay of Fundy, as you might expect, tides drive a unique and vibrant ecosystem. In the waters that run around and between Campobello and Deer Island this is clearly on display. Cool, nutrient rich waters from the North Atlantic rush into the Bay of Fundy with every tide.
As that water, and the nutrients it carries, rushes over peaks and valleys on the seafloor, and through narrow channels between islands, nutrients are mixed throughout the water column. This mixing creates ideal conditions for the growth of the small plants (phytoplankton) and the small animals (zooplankton) that live in the sunlight zone at the top of the water and form the base of the food chain.
For this reason, the Quoddy Region (with the Western Isles at its heart) is sometimes referred to as the cafeteria of the Bay of Fundy. Over many thousands of years, whales, sharks, seals, groundfish, birds, and many bottom-dwelling sea creatures have come to this area to make use of the abundant productivity.
(For more information and images, click the headings below.)
This page is the result of a joint project between the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Chapters) and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. All photos are by Nick Hawkins.
For further information about the organizations involved, follow the links below:
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CPAWS New Brunswick
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CPAWS Nova Scotia
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Conservation Council of New Brunswick
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Nick Hawkins Photography